INDstyle

What to BUY for ... Spring Cocktail

by Amanda Bedgood

Welcome to the first What to BUY for ... with a look at just what you should be wearing come time to hit the town. This week we'll be heading to the UL Spring Gala and next week to Rye Tuten's Leukemia and Lymphoma money raising shin dig. For both, read on to learn just what to buy for a night of looking on point.

The spring time cocktail event or gala is just the time to bring some personality to evening with flirty shapes, bold colors for him and dashes of prints for everyone.

"We want the party to be classy, but not stuffy," Rye says of his event at The Madison in Broussard slated for April 17. "For the guys a suit with no tie; blazer, no tie and a nice pair of slacks; or nice slacks, fun tie and no jacket are all appropriate."

We picked this blue-based ensemble for the foundation of a spring time look. Found at Brother's it's a great way to infuse color without going overboard. Add a simple tie or jacket and you're ready for a laid back night out.

For the ladies, Rye says fun cocktail or a skirt, sequin shorts or nice pants.

"We definitely want the outfits to be fashion forward," Rye says.

Rye and wife Lainey were our first ever couple to take home the INDStyle honor last year for their combined taste that runs the gamut from Rye's dapper bow ties to Lainey's no-fail ensembles that marry seriously funky elements with total class.

We found this new flirty spring version of the LBD at Hemline that would work well for any springtime evening event with the addition of accessories to dress it up — sparkling earrings and super high strappy sandals — or dress it down — wedges and a funky bracelet.

For springtime accessories that go from day to night the colorful sparkling necklace of the statement variety will work again again. We love this one from Vanessa V. in green and turquoise hues with a bit peachy. Pair with a fresh little white dress or spring's funky prints.